DAVENPORT, Neb. (DTN) -- Extremely cold winter weather continues, leaving many rural residents across the Midwest wondering how they will pay for the propane they need, or if they can even get propane at all.

Freezing weather and the huge export demand for U.S. propane have caused a serious propane shortage in the U.S., especially in the Midwest, where inventories are depleted and prices are skyrocketing.

In fact, the shortage was deemed so dire in Iowa that Governor Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds sent a letter to President Barack Obama on Monday asking him to take action ...